But add in a pair of running shoes, and the debate grows a little more complicated.

Whereas some runners concern themselves with getting the perfect pair of running shoes, other racers have something else on their minds.

My friend Jenn can't decide whether to sport her tutu with silver stars to the Bolder Boulder, the famous 10K fashion show on sneakers.

As she sees it, if she wears the tutu, she better have the athletic prowess to match the extra attention she may garner. And even though her muscular body is carved out of solid marble, she's afraid she's just not Boulder enough for the silver stars. Maybe the tutu. But the stars promise undue authority.

You see, she explains, it's an unspoken rule that the idiocy of your costume needs to have an inverse relationship with your speed. If you're going to squeeze into a children's Hannah Montana tee and rip of the sleeves, you better be breaking records.

Just think about the legendary Jesus who took the A-wave by storm last May.

I remind her that it's a spoken (and written) rule that your costume shall not extend beyond your body, which technically rules out the tutu to begin with (assuming she is referring to a Classical, pancake-style tutu and not the Romantic, bell-shaped style) (yes, there are multiple styles of tutus; memorize them). But then tell that to Betty Hoops who hula-hoops through the race, or the man riding a giant, stuffed pink flamingo in 2011. Or pretty much half of the participants.

Advertisement

Over the years, we've seen Darth Vader with his lightsaber, Pac-Mac, Santa Claus, pirates, Elvis and the devil running the Bolder Boulder. During some stretches, it seems like the people in shorts and t-shirts are actually the weird minority in costume.

Apparently, this Memorial Day-Halloween fusion started out non-costumed. But as the years go by, long-time runners say increasingly more people show up in wigs and masks and mustaches. Increasingly more races (and racers) beyond Boulder are joining the movement, too. I mean, a man completed the Colfax Marathon last weekend clad in a green man thong and drawn-on Sharpie shorts.

Giggity.

Then there is the Gorilla Run in Denver, a racer where everyone dresses as a gorilla (the entry fee covers your costume). But because that's not enough, some people still put costumes on top of their gorilla suits.

Man thongs notwithstanding, I say thank God and the A-wave Jesus. A strap-on beard blowing gingerly in the breeze keeps you from taking the race too seriously -- an attitude more people could use in an obscenely fit town like this. It keeps it fun. Even the Bolder Boulder's website says, "It's not about the time you run, it's about the time you have."

Plus, as Matt Jenkins with the Bolder Boulder puts it, "Having someone run by dressed in a tutu and rainbow wig is a good distraction when you're pushing up a hill."

Need inspiration?

The great thing about a race-day costume is it's supposed to kind of suck and there are no rules, so you can totally throw it together tonight, in between carbo-loading and hydrating.

Make a statement. Far be it from Boulder to miss an opportunity to protest. We spotted some George Dubyas running a few years back.

Push the limits. We are not advocating wearing an oversized jail-cell box with legs dangling off the front, but it has been done.

Use accessories to enhance the costume, and make the base your typical running attire, recommends Active.com. In other words: If nothing else, wear a stupid hat and striped socks. One creative family has used body paint for a number of years to match the T-shirt design.

However, before you decide to wear a head-to-toe velvet Santa Claus suit, complete with fur cuffs, a beard, wig and hat (this also has been done), consider the following:

Safety first, kids. Make sure you can move, see and maneuver. Spookysprint.org recommends running in the costume before race day, which will not creep out your neighbors at all.

This may be goodbye. Your sweat, mud and tears may mean this is your Elvis suit's last big show.

Think about what you want to say. Do you want to wow the crowd? Are you trying to intimidate other runners with your Darth Vader breathing? Do you want to express your deep passion for bananas at every opportunity? Are you just plain awesome? Consider your motives, and match accordingly.

And when in doubt, wear the tutu. You can always take it off and throw it at the crowd at mile three if it's impeding your aerodynamics.